If you’re considering a vegan diet, it can be difficult to find the right information. So many books and websites discuss the benefits of a vegan diet, vegetarianism or a temporary raw food diet. The actual choice to undertake a vegan diet, however, is far more involved than just giving up meat. It’s an entire lifestyle change, one that encompasses not just what you eat, but how you think and feel about your body and its place in the world. A decision of this weight deserves some thorough research.

The Vegetarian Resource Group at vrg.org is an excellent introductory site. It provides a thorough look into a vegan lifestyle, defining veganism as it compares to other types of vegetarianism. It provides a comprehensive look into the nuts and bolts of nutrition as well, describing how vegans obtain the various sources of food to fulfill their daily nutritional requirement—and how they avoid taboo ingredients—without eating anything animal-derived. It goes above and beyond most vegan websites in that VRG.org also discusses the practical aspects of a vegan diet—how to circumvent food allergies, how and where to dine out at restaurants, how to reconcile your vegan diet with your family’s conventional diet and the social reasons for choosing veganism. The Vegetarian Resource Group also features an extensive family focus, with sections about vegan and vegetarian travel, games and even an essay contest.

Another suitable introduction to the vegan world is VeganSociety.com, the Internet home of the world’s first vegetarian association, The Vegan Society. The Vegan Society is located within the United Kingdom, but its information is suitable for an international audience. The Vegan Society is now an educational charity and uses all of its profits to promote veganism. Their online shop features magazines, personal care products, apparel and multimedia offerings. Learn how to reduce your dependence on meat and animal-derived products and live a healthier lifestyle.

For those who feel comfortable with vegan diet facts, Savvy Vegetarian at SavvyVegetarian.com provides a database of vegan recipes, a blog with vegetarian-oriented news, a resource guide and feature articles about veganism. Savvy Vegetarian’s database of advice covers how to manage issues that affect vegans, like constipation, vegan diets on a budget, pregnant vegans, teen vegans and vegan athletes. And their free reports cover vegan social etiquette, vegetarian nutrition and helpful tips.

Possibly the most thorough compilation of material centered on motherhood and parenting with a vegan lifestyle can be found at VegFamily.com. The VegFamily website covers raising vegan children from pregnancy through adulthood, providing an in-depth perspective on such issues as helping daycare centers care for a vegan child, homeschooling, vegan Halloween, and reconciling a vegan lifestyle with school cafeteria food. VegFamily also has a listing of age-appropriate crafts to do with your child. A section called VegTube has a series of vegetarian YouTube videos, interviews and mini-documentaries. And as with most of the other sites, VegFamily also provides informative lists, vegan news, book reviews and recommended reading lists.

If you’re looking for more of a community, try VegSource.com. VegSource’s motto, “Friendly support 25 hours a day, 8 days a week for your healthy vegetarian lifestyle,” is backed up by a team of professionals that includes dietitians, medical doctors, Ph.D.s, naturopathic doctors, authors and journalists. VegSource has a database of Q&A format interviews that cover a range of dietary and health issues; the site also allows its site visitors to submit their e-mail questions directly to one or more of these experts. Their health-centered online community offers discussion forums, recipes, diet plans, vegetarian events, and message boards for singles and those in search of vegetarian pen pals. Like many of the other vegan websites, VegSource also recommends and endorses books and other products geared towards a healthy lifestyle.

VeganHealth.org, a project of Vegan Outreach, is written and maintained by Jack Norris, a registered dietitian. Vegan Health takes a bit of a different approach from other vegan and vegetarian sites in that Norris is forthcoming about the potential dangers of veganism. He outlines specific deficiencies of essential nutrients that frequently occur in plant-based diets and explains why these nutrients are so important to our health. Norris then gives suggestions as to how you supplement your vegan diet and maintain optimum health as a vegan. For those who are new to veganism or thinking about making a transition to a vegan diet, Vegan Health can help make sure you still get the vitamins and minerals that you previously obtained from animal-derived foods. This is possibly the most realistic, objective site of the bunch for vegan diet information.

Some vegans are interested in the political and social opportunities for action among vegetarians. For these individuals, Vegan Action, located at Vegan.org, outlines the side of veganism that is beyond recipes and diet plans. Vegan Action lists its campaigns, latest news and background information about this level of veganism. It is an excellent resource for learning about the harsh realities behind the commercial farming industry.

Maintaining a vegan lifestyle is much easier at home, when you are limited to eating only the foods in your pantry. During travel, however, it is much harder to make the right food choices, especially while traveling under a vacation package or tour group. Green Earth Travel, located at VegTravel.com, comes in by listing only vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly travel companies. The companies are sorted in much the same manner as on other travel websites: independent traveler packages, volunteer vacations, cycling trips, eco-tours, women-specific trips, spiritual vacations, cruises, wine vacations, and more. Green Earth Travel also lists vegetarian and vegan spas, bed and breakfast facilities, and a host of other lodging options. The countries listed span much of the world, including less-traveled areas like Lithuania, Philippines, New Zealand and Turkey.

There’s no doubt that the vegan diet has grown more popular in recent years. Search engine results for the term “vegan” yield nearly 25 million websites. When making a major lifestyle change, like switching to veganism, it’s essential to make sure you have enough information to make a healthy decision. It’s more than simply cutting out meat. Veganism requires an entire reworking of your dietary habits. You must replace ingredients like eggs, honey, gelatin and butter. These websites are the best resources for support every step of your journey. You may not want to become a vocal vegan and participate in the activism championed by other vegans at first, or ever, and that’s okay. The wide range of these websites allows you to find the information you need to maintain a vegan lifestyle your way.

Today, vegans break the perception of the traditional vegetarian. Vegans are professional athletes, Olympians, musicians, actors, mothers, fathers and children. Some are vegans to protect their health; others are vegan for moral or other personal reasons. If you’re considering a vegan diet, or are already vegetarian, these websites can provide you with essential information and key resources to help support your decision.

Many of them discuss issues that might come up through the course of parenting or interacting with a carnivorous loved one. Others are health-based, discussing instead the supplements you need—as well as those you don’t—to maintain optimal health in a vegan diet. Still others focus on the social aspects of veganism, environmentalism and activism. You’ll easily find the websites that are most useful to you and can benefit you most in your dedicated journey towards vegetarianism.

Always Consult Your Physician FirstAlthough it is helpful to get health information by reading and talking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements. Be sure to always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its readers based on the information provided.

Ready to Go Raw?Going "raw" means giving up all of your favorite foods, right? Not quite. From snacks to gourmet meals there's a wide variety of raw dishes certain to please the pickiest of palates. Take this raw food quiz to find out if "raw" is somewhere you'd like to visit.